Newcastle Rugby League released the 2015 draw this week and the Pickers are without a game on the opening weekend (April 11-12) of the nine-club first grade competition.

Pickers coach Noel Dent, who has returned to the first grade role at Maitland after a stint at Macquarie, said the pre-season would now be even more important for his side.

“I’m not too worried about the order of the draw in terms of who we play, but the bye first up isn’t really good,” Dent said.

“I’ve had it at Macquarie twice as well and I just can’t seem to escape it.

“It means that the trials will be huge for us and we have a couple of hard ones against Macquarie, Wests and Windsor.”

The Pickers’ opening trial is due to be played away against Macquarie on February 7 and they won’t meet the Scorpions again until midway through the season in round nine (June 21).

A trial date has yet to be confirmed with Western Suburbs but Maitland will host the title holders in the competition proper in round six (May 23).

Maitland open their campaign against Cessnock at home in round two (April 18) and tackle fellow Coalfields rivals Kurri Kurri, which includes ­facing up against Terence Seu Seu ­following his defection to the Bulldogs from the Pickers in the off-season, away in round five (May 16). 

The Bulldogs begin their season with an away trip to Townson Oval against South Newcastle on April 11.

On the same day incoming Cessnock coach Craig Miller takes on former club Wests in a grand final replay from this year. 

Kurri and Cessnock clash at Kurri Sportsground on June 6 and Cessnock Sportsground on August 22.

The Bulldogs commenced ­pre-season training overnight under the ­watchful eye of coach Phil Williams while the Pickers will start at Maitland Sportsground on December 9.

The grand final has been set for September 27.

Round 1 v South Newcastle at Townson Oval on April 11

Round 2 v Lakes United at Kurri Sportsground on April 18

Round 3 v Central Newcastle at St John Oval on May 3

Round 4 v Western Suburbs at Harker Oval on May 10

Round 5 v Maitland at Kurri Sportsground on May 16

Round 6 v Macquarie at Kurri Sportsground on May 23

Round 7 v Port Stephens at TBA on May 31

Round 8 v Cessnock at Kurri Sportsground on June 6

Round 9 v bye

Round 10 v South Newcastle at Kurri Sportsground on June 27

Round 11 v Lakes United at Cahill Oval on July 4

Round 12 v Central Newcastle at Kurri Sportsground on July 11

Round 13 v Western Suburbs at Kurri Sportsground on July 18

Round 14 v Maitland at Maitland Sportsground on July 25

Round 15 v Macquarie at Lyall Peacock Field on August 1

Round 16 v Port Stephens at Kurri Sportsground on August 15

Round 17 v Cessnock at Cessnock Sportsground on August 22

Round 18 v bye

Round 1 v Western Suburbs at Cessnock Sportsground on April 11

Round 2 v Maitland at Maitland Sportsground on April 18 

Round 3 v Macquarie at Lyall Peacock Field on May 2

Round 4 v Port Stephens at Cessnock Sportsground on May 9

Round 5 v bye

Round 6 v Central Newcastle at St John Oval on May 24

Round 7 v South Newcastle at Cessnock Sportsground on May 30

Round 8 v Kurri Kurri at Kurri Sportsground on June 6

Round 9 v Lakes United at Cahill Oval on June 21

Round 10 v Western Suburbs at Harker Oval on June 28

Round 11 v Maitland at Cessnock Sportsground on July 4

Round 12 v Macquarie at Lyall Peacock Field on July 11

Round 13 v Port Stephens at TBA on July 19

Round 14 v bye

Round 15 v Central Newcastle at Cessnock Sportsground on August 1

Round 16 v South Newcastle at Townson Oval on August 16

Round 17 v Kurri Kurri at Cessnock Sportsground on August 22

Round 18 v Lakes United at Cessnock Sportsground on August 29

Round 1 v bye

Round 2 v Cessnock at Maitland Sportsground on April 18

Round 3 v South Newcastle at Townson Oval on May 3

Round 4 v Lakes United at Maitland Sportsground on May 9

Round 5 v Kurri Kurri at Kurri Sportsground on May 16

Round 6 v Western Suburbs at Maitland Sportsground on May 23

Round 7 v Central Newcastle at St John Oval on May 31

Round 8 v Port Stephens at TBA on June 7 

Round 9 v Macquarie at Maitland Sportsground on June 21

Round 10 v bye

Round 11 v Cessnock at Cessnock Sportsground on July 4

Round 12 v South Newcastle at Maitland Sportsground on July 11

Round 13 v Lakes United at Cahill Oval on July 18

Round 14 v Kurri Kurri at Maitland Sportsground on July 25

Round 15 v Western Suburbs at Harker Oval on August 2

Round 16 v Central Newcastle at Maitland Sportsground on August 15 

Round 17 v Port Stephens at Maitland Sportsground on August 22

Round 18 v Macquarie at Lyall Peacock Field on August 29

* All matches kick-off at 3pm